Grayson, KY.- The Rams showcased their strength on the road, defeating Kentucky Christian University in a hard-fought 3-1 match. This victory solidified their position in the conference and highlighted their resilience throughout the evening.
Match Recap: The Rams came out strong in the first match, displaying a powerful offense that left KCU scrambling. Head Coach Buddy Gallemore praised his team's initial performance, saying, "I believe we came out ready to play, we served aggressively and took advantage when they gave us free balls or errors." However, KCU fought back in the second game, engaging in a fierce back-and-forth battle that ultimately saw the Rams fall just short, losing 28-26. "In the 2nd set, we got a little complacent, made a number of errors ourselves, and then couldn't take advantage of 2 set points," Gallemore reflected.
Unfazed by the setback, the Rams regrouped and returned to form in the final two sets. Despite KCU's adjustments and some challenging calls from the officials, the Rams pressed on, showcasing their determination and skill to secure the match victory. "In the 3rd and 4th sets, we got back to our ball control and putting the ball down," Gallemore noted.
Game Leaders: Liangelys Santana led the charge with an impressive 17 kills, consistently finding ways to break through KCU's defense. Chesed Russell and Davina Lopez also shone, each contributing 12 kills and making significant impacts in crucial moments. Gallemore highlighted Lopez's performance, stating, "Davina stepped up big and Nay played with her usual consistency."
Nayerly Jimenez reached a remarkable milestone of 2,500 career assists during the match. Reflecting on her achievement, she said, "Hitting this milestone on a conference win night was an incredible bonus. But now, there's still more work to do, and we need to focus on the next game." Her keen court awareness and ability to distribute the ball effectively were vital in keeping KCU off balance throughout the match.
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With this victory, the Rams now look ahead to their next challenge as they travel to Athens, Tennessee, to take on Tennessee Wesleyan University on Saturday, September 28th, at 11 AM.
